Tag: MK Battery
In brief: CGM transformation, MK Battery acquisition, Sava-Ascensia partnership
October 16, 2026HME News Staff
AURORA, Colo. – Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) could transform disease management for millions of Americans with Type 2 diabetes who don't take insulin, according to new research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The clinical trial found that adults using CGMs spent approximately five additional hours each day within their target blood sugar range compared with those receiving routine care. Nearly twice as many CGM users also achieved an A1c level below 7%, a common...
MK buys Italian partner
October 14, 2026HME News Staff
ANAHEIM, Calif. – MK Battery has acquired Sironi Batterie Srl, an Italian battery company founded in 1924. Sironi has maintained a relationship with East Penn Manufacturing, the parent company of MK Battery, making the acquisition a natural fit. “For decades, it has been clear that Sironi, East Penn and MK Battery share similar values,” said Walker Rheem, president of MK Battery. “These companies are relationship-driven businesses that care deeply about serving their customers,...
MK Battery plans for leadership change in 2026
November 3, 2025HME News Staff
ANAHEIM, Calif. - MK Battery has announced that Walker Rheem will succeed Wayne Merdinger as president starting Feb. 1, 2026. Merdinger, who has devoted more than 50 years to the HME industry, including 20 years to MK Battery, will stay on as a member of the company’s board of directors. Earlier this year, Rheem, who has more than 23 years of executive leadership experience, was promoted to executive vice president & general manager at MK Battery. As part of that announcement, Merdinger said:...
In brief: MA payments, tech stage, device risk, Cardinal acquisition
February 2, 2024HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – CMS has released a Calendar Year 2025 Advance Notice for the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Programs that would pave the way for payments to MA plans to increase on average by 3.7%, or more than $16 billion, from 2024 to 2025.
“CMS continues to ensure that Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans remain strong, stable and affordable offerings,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “The Advance Notice upholds...
MK Battery, Rolko North America partner
February 1, 2024HME News Staff
ANAHEIM, Calif., and BLOOMFIELD, Iowa – MK Battery and Rolko North America, a subsidiary of Rolko Kohlgruber GmbH, a manufacturer and supplier of components and accessories for the mobility market, have inked a comprehensive agreement for MK to provide warehousing, logistics, distribution and route delivery services to support Rolko’s line of components for wheelchairs and rehabilitation equipment. Under this arrangement, MK Battery will stock Rolko products and make them available via...
Grau moves up at MK Battery
July 9, 2020HME News Staff
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Wayne Grau has been named director of business development for MK Battery. Grau, who joined the company in December, has extensive industry experience, holding leadership roles in sales management, legislative affairs and trade relations. “Mr. Grau has brought a focused determination to drive more value to our customers and open up additional opportunities for our organization,” said Wayne Merdinger, president.
MK Battery lands industry veteran
February 3, 2020Tracy Orzel
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Wayne Grau has been tasked with helping MK Battery's complex rehab and retail mobility customers grow their businesses as the company's new HME category manager. “I learned the business by listening to providers and gaining an understanding of what was important to their customers, and what levels of support they needed from the manufacturer to ensure the patient was taken care of,” he said.Grau has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, previously working...
In brief: CMS releases 2020 fee schedule, UnitedHealth Group buys specialty pharmacy
December 13, 2019HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - The 2020 Medicare fee schedule grants 1.6% to 2.4% CPI-U increases in several categories, AAHomecare reports.
The fee schedule includes a 2.4% increase for former competitive bidding areas and a 2.4% increase for diabetes supplies in the national mail-order program. It also includes a 1.6% increase for non-rural areas.
The fee schedule for rural/non-contiguous areas will be 50% of the unadjusted fee schedule (2015) and 50% of the new adjusted fee schedule.
The fee schedule for...
People: John Sphon, Wayne Grau, Karissa Peffer
December 11, 2019HME News Staff
John Sphon has been named CEO of Greensburg, Pa.-based Excela Health, according to Triblive.com. He had been serving as acting CEO since last spring after the abrupt departure of both the former CEO and COO. Sphon previously served as president of Excela's MedCare Equipment Company and has been with Excela and its predecessors for more than 35 years. “(Sphon) is highly skilled in such areas as business development and operations, establishing and nurturing effective physician relationships...
In brief: CRT bill heads to governor's desk, Roche sues pharmacy network
March 22, 2019HME News Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee State Legislature has enacted legislation to create a “separate benefit” category for complex rehab technology.HB 647, which is headed to Gov. Bill Lee to sign, will ensure that CRT products receive separate consideration when state Medicaid authorities propose adjustments to reimbursement rates or other regulatory changes.“CRT products are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and profound healthcare challenges, supporting...